Christopher Agee from the Center for Western Journalism covered the push to repeal the death penalty in Nebraska. He wrote,

A bipartisan effort among Nebraska state senators this week advanced a bill that would end the death penalty in that state. On the strength of a 30-13 vote – enough to override an expected veto by Gov. Pete Ricketts – supported by seven Republicans, the bill will now be subject to legislative debate before it can be sent to the governor.

He also said,

The Nebraska chapter of Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty joined the effort; and the organization’s national coordinator, Marc Hyden, was on hand to address the issue during a recent press conference. Western Journalism reached out to Hyden (pictured below), who offered his thoughts on the development:

“Nebraska conservative leaders are joining Republican lawmakers from across the country who are voicing their opposition to the death penalty. Similar groups have also organized in Montana, Kansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Increasingly, conservatives everywhere are realizing the death penalty risks innocent lives and costs more than alternatives, while failing [to] serve the swift and sure justice that murder victims’ families deserve.”